In 2008, a call to map out the Cartusian Snail’s (Monacha cartusiana) recent distribution in the Czech Republic was published (Živa 2008, 2: 73). Due to the useful help of experts and the general public, the intensive spread of this non-indigenous species was observed and described. In this short report, we discuss inter alia the changes in distribution of several non-native land snails species. and Alena Peltanová, Lucie Juřičková.
In the CR located on the bio-geographical crossroads of Central Europe, several vegetation types reach their distribution limit here, whereas only three vegetation types and complexes unique or significantly concentrated here are identified: grasslands in the White Carpathian Mts. (the world’s highest number of vascular plant species per certain areas smaller than 50 m2); sandstone pseudokarst landscapes (sharply contrasting vegetation at very short distances); fishponds (specific vegetation especially on their exposed bottoms when drained). and Milan Chytrý, Handrij Härtel, Kateřina Šumberová.
The flora of the CR harbours 48 endemic (sub)species of vascular plants (plus 26 taxa considered as near-endemic). Most of them occur above the timberline in the High Sudetes Mts. while others are restricted to lowland habitats with specific edaphic or topographic features (serpentine outcrops, calcareous fens, rocks in steep river valleys). Apomicts clearly prevail (49 taxa, especially Hieracium and Sorbus). All endemics are evolutionarily young (neoendemics) and their origin is mostly associated with the Quaternary climatic oscillations. and Jan Suda, Zdeněk Kaplan.
Dvouletý vývoj housenek je přizpůsobením horských motýlů na chladné klima a může se následně odrážet ve výkyvech početností dospělců. U okáče rudopásného (Erebia euryale) jsou výkyvy početností dospělců doloženy z Alp, nicméně z nižších horských masivů informace o tomto fenoménu chybí. Článek poprvé dokumentuje střídající se cykly početnosti dospělců okáče rudopásného v pohořích českého a moravského pohraničí - v Hrubém Jeseníku, Krkonoších a na Šumavě., Biennial development of mountain butterfly larvae involves adaptation to a cold climate, and subsequently could correspond with the biennial fluctuations of adult butterflies. The adult fluctuations of Large Ringlet (Erebia euryale) are known from the European Alps, but information is missing from lower mountain ranges. We present the first quantitative assessment of biennial fluctuations of E. euryale in Czech and Moravian border mountains - Hrubý Jeseník, Krkonoše (Giant Mts.) and Šumava (Bohemian Forest)., and Irena Klečková, Martin Konvička, Jiří Beneš, Jana Šlancarová.
The article presents the characteristic features of the worldwide wolf spider family (Lycosidae) and describes how its study has affected Czech arachnology, which takes credit for resolving several issues. Among the 38 families of spiders living in the Czech Republic, wolf spiders are remarkable for their ecology. Wolf spider vital signs are so prominent that every observer inevitably notices their constant movement. In addition to history of the research into the wolf spider family, some faunistic issues are also presented. and Jan Buchar.
The second part of this article on the wolf spider family (Lycosidae) and the importance of Czech arachnologists in its study deals with various questions involving the taxonomy, zoogeography, ecology, bioindications and protection of these spiders, as well as their etology and cytogenetics. and Jan Buchar.